Polygamy in Kenya
Encyclopedia
The practice of polygamy
is legal in Kenya
, and such unions are fully recognized by the courts under customary law. While prohibited via statute concerning civil marriage
s, a debate of legalizing civil polygamous unions
has been a hot topic of political discussion; as well as within Kenyan society and religious bodies. Such legislation has been debated since its gaining of independence in 1963, though such measures failed to pass. Re-introduced in early March 2009, "Marriage Bill 2007", which would effectively legalize civil polygamous marriage in Kenya, is currently pending before the parliament
, where legislators will soon debate it in the current session.
Previous measures have failed in the past, though various observers have claimed that similar bills were killed due to limitations regarding the registration of a polygamous union; not the concept itself. The current measure must first be approved by the parliament before it can advance.
or polygamy during contraction of the marriage. The bill is currently pending before the parliament and has faced both approval and condemntation from Christian
and Muslim
religious leaders in the country.
Polygamy
Polygamy is a marriage which includes more than two partners...
is legal in Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, and such unions are fully recognized by the courts under customary law. While prohibited via statute concerning civil marriage
Civil marriage
Civil marriage is marriage performed by a government official and not a religious organization.-History:Every country maintaining a population registry of its residents keeps track of marital status, and most countries believe that it is their responsibility to register married couples. Most...
s, a debate of legalizing civil polygamous unions
Polygamy
Polygamy is a marriage which includes more than two partners...
has been a hot topic of political discussion; as well as within Kenyan society and religious bodies. Such legislation has been debated since its gaining of independence in 1963, though such measures failed to pass. Re-introduced in early March 2009, "Marriage Bill 2007", which would effectively legalize civil polygamous marriage in Kenya, is currently pending before the parliament
National Assembly of Kenya
The unicameral National Assembly of Kenya is the country's legislative body.The current National Assembly has a total of 224 members. 210 members are directly elected in single member constituencies using the simple majority system...
, where legislators will soon debate it in the current session.
Previous measures have failed in the past, though various observers have claimed that similar bills were killed due to limitations regarding the registration of a polygamous union; not the concept itself. The current measure must first be approved by the parliament before it can advance.
History of Marriage Bill 2007
Marriage Bill 2007 was originally proposed in 1981, though was condemned by politicians for granting women "too many rights", such as the right to specify at the time of the marriage whether or not her husband may choose to take future wives. Most countries allowing polygamous marriages allow such a requirement. Subsequently, the bill was voted down. Revided in 2007, Marriage Bill 2007 faced similar concerns, and thus was not voted on. The bill was reintroduced in March 2009 as planned, addressing legislators concerns by eliminating a wife's right to stipulate monogamyMonogamy
Monogamy /Gr. μονός+γάμος - one+marriage/ a form of marriage in which an individual has only one spouse at any one time. In current usage monogamy often refers to having one sexual partner irrespective of marriage or reproduction...
or polygamy during contraction of the marriage. The bill is currently pending before the parliament and has faced both approval and condemntation from Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
and Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
religious leaders in the country.